Read Online The Bar Mitzvah Murder by Lee Harris - Free Book Online Page B

she was there to observe it or check out what was going on. You didn’t happen to look out her window, did you?”
    â€œGood thought. No, I didn’t. I should go back and see what the view is. You’re suggesting she could watch the party from her room.”
    â€œAnd maybe send messages to someone who was out to hurt Gabe.”
    â€œThat’s a very frightening thought.”
    â€œSomebody killed him; let’s not forget that.”
    â€œAnd it was done in a careful, well-planned way that required the use of a special vehicle, at least two conspirators—”
    â€œAnd maybe more.”
    â€œI’ll have to tell Officer Davidson to interview her.”
    â€œI think you should.”
    â€œLet’s find a phone when you’re finished with your salad.”
    Finding a phone was easy; getting to use one wasn’t. It turned out you needed a phone card that could be bought at any post office. We just didn’t happen to be in or near a post office. Mel, however, is resourceful. She found a security guard and explained our problem and he offered me the use of his cell phone, so I managed to make my call to Jack’s phone. He started out by telling me that Mel and I were on for a tour of the Old City tomorrow. Raouf, our guide, would meet us at the American Colony Hotel at ten A.M. and drive us in his car.
    â€œAnd what’s new with you?” Jack asked.
    â€œMel and I have just had lunch at the Israel Museum. We saw the Dead Sea Scrolls, Jack. It’s overwhelming.”
    â€œSo’s my work here. We’ll have to come back for a second trip so I can see what you’re seeing.”
    â€œYou won’t get an argument from me on that. We’re about to look at more of the museum. It’s much too big to do in one visit. I wanted to tell you that I talked to Judy Silverman, Gabe’s daughter, and she claims she came to Israel by herself. She’s meeting her husband in London in a few days.”
    â€œYou believe her visit is innocent?”
    â€œShe sounds believable, but I can’t swear that she’s just here to catch a glimpse of her father.”
    â€œI’ll tell Joshua. I’m sure he’ll want to check it out for himself. He’s out right now, but I think he’s coming back soon.”
    â€œOK. Just wanted you to know.”
    â€œYou picking me up?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œSee you then.”
    Mel was delighted that our tour was on. She had a list of places in the Old City that she wanted to see, including the shop of an Armenian potter. “He’s got fabulous dishes and tiles and serving pieces,” she said. “My aunt has a set of hors d’oeuvre plates that I’d like for myself. If it’s not on the tour, we’ll go there later.”
    â€œWe’ll make it part of the tour,” I said. “Jack thinks we shouldn’t be two women alone there. Just to be on the safe side.”
    â€œSounds like Hal. OK. We’ll play it safe.”
    We selected a couple of exhibits and finished up in the gift shop, where they had postcards and books and other interesting things to tempt one. We both left with little bags of goodies.
    By this time, it was getting to be late afternoon and traffic was starting to look like rush hour in a busy city. I drove to Mel’s hotel and had a cup of coffee with her and then went to the police station to pick up Jack.
    He was a little later than he had been yesterday, so I sat and waited. When he finally walked out of the building, Joshua Davidson was with him. I got out of the car to say hello.
    â€œI thank your wife very much for arranging this tour tomorrow,” I said.
    â€œI’m sure you’ll enjoy it. He’s an excellent guide and we’ve used his services many times. But I must talk to you for a moment.”
    â€œIs something wrong?”
    â€œIt’s about this woman: Mrs. Silverman, Mr. Gross’s